You’ll have the greatest chance of success losing weight when you chose an approach that’s right for your lifestyle. This guide will help you identify the best ingredients, supplements and strategies for you. You can combine or “stack” one or more products for added benefit.

Thermogenic formulas, also known as “fat burners,” are supplements used to temporarily increase metabolism and energy. The term thermogenic means “heat-creating,” referring to the warming that takes place when metabolism increases. These products can be especially useful for those transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to a more physically active one. They are best used to provide an energy boost prior to your exercise session.

Key ingredients in thermogenic formulas:

Green Tea Extract: Contains catechins that may aid in weight loss. One catechin, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), when combined with caffeine, was shown to elevate metabolism beyond that of caffeine alone.

Caffeine: Stimulates metabolism and mobilizes body fat for use as energy. Also enhances the effects of green tea and bitter orange.

Citrus Aurantium/Synephrine (Bitter Orange): Contains several alkaloids such as synephrine that stimulate the body’s beta-3 receptors to boost metabolism and increase fat burning. Also promotes the release of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine, which enhances mental energy and focus.

Guggulsterones (Commiphora Mukul): Harvested as a tree resin, these plant sterols help maintain normal thyroid hormone production while using thermogenics or on a low calorie diet.

Yerba Maté: Contains polyphenols and catechins, which may increase energy expenditure and aid in the loss of body fat by stimulating the body to use fat for energy.

Appetite Suppressants: Ideal for those who tend to overeat or snack out of boredom, stress, anxiety or just because the food is there.

Appetite suppressants help control your appetite so you’ll eat less. You’ll feel more full with less food. When you eat less, you tend to consume fewer calories as well, unless you’re making poor dietary choices and substituting high-calorie foods for healthier foods you should otherwise eat. Reducing your calorie intake is a proven way to jumpstart the weight loss process.

Key ingredients:

Hoodia Gordonii Extract: Can control appetite by reducing hunger signals, tricking the brain into thinking you’re full, even when you’re not. Hoodia does this by mimicking an increase in blood glucose. It is reported to reduce appetite by up to 30%.

Glucomannan Fiber: Produced from konjac root, this fiber absorbs large amounts of water and dietary fats. This creates a comfortable sense of fullness, suppressing your appetite and reducing caloric intake. Also minimizes the metabolic impact of meals by slowing the release of food calories into your system.*

Metabolic Enhancers: Ideal for those avoiding stimulants; those who are already exercising and dieting but not seeing results.

Metabolic enhancers are a category of products that optimize metabolism for high energy and effective fat loss. They can work through various mechanisms; most are non-stimulants and can be combined with other weight loss approaches.

Key ingredients:

CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid): An omega-6 fatty acid from safflower or sunflower oil that is proven to reduce body fat and preserve lean body mass. CLA affects two enzymes, one that breaks down fat from the cells and one that breaks down fat in the blood.*

Chromium: A trace mineral and important nutrient for optimal utilization of insulin. Key to a balanced and robust metabolism.

While they are not complete weight-loss strategies in and of themselves, carb and fat-blockers can be indispensable tools for long-term dieting success. Use a “fat inhibitor,” a “carb inhibitor” or a combination product with both to minimize the impact of cheat meals and cheat foods (pizza, Chinese food, pasta, fried foods, etc.) on your weight loss program. Also perfect for traveling or other situations where healthy food choices are limited.

Key ingredients:

White Kidney Bean Extract: Safely inhibits an enzyme in the digestive tract that prevents starchy foods from being broken down into glucose blood sugar. Is not a fat inhibitor. You still have to eat sensibly.

Chitosan: A fiber derived from the shells of shrimp, crab and lobster. When taken before or during a meal, chitosan binds to dietary fats before they can be digested and absorbed into the body.

Cortisol / Stress Reducers: Ideal for those who have been under chronic, unrelenting stress for weeks or months and whose weight loss difficulties may be related to the stress hormone cortisol.

Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stressful events. Cortisol release is part of the body’s fight-or-flight response, preparing us to either flee from danger or fight back and defend ourselves. Cortisol enables the body to marshal short-term bursts of energy by temporarily changing certain aspects of metabolism. However, long-term stress leads to chronically elevated cortisol levels. When this occurs, cortisol’s metabolic effects are no longer temporary and make it extremely difficult to lose weight and tone up.

Key ingredients:

Magnolia Bark Extract: A traditional Chinese medicine rich in magnolol and honokiol, which are believed to balance cortisol.

L-Theanine: An amino acid found in the leaves of green tea that helps reduce tension and relieve stress.

Blood Sugar Regulators: Ideal for anyone who has impaired insulin metabolism (“insulin resistance”) hypoglycemia, diabetes. Those who gain weight almost exclusively around their midsection while their limbs remain relatively thin.

To optimize metabolism for high energy and reduced weight gain/enhanced weight loss, it’s critical to keep blood sugar levels low and stable. This keeps your cells sensitive to insulin’s beneficial effects on metabolism. You can achieve this by avoiding starchy/sugary foods like candy, soda, fruit juices, breads, pasta, etc. You may also benefit from using certain supplements that enhance the body’s sensitivity to insulin (insulin delivers nutrients from the bloodstream into each cell).

Key ingredients:

Gymnema Sylvestre: Helps control sugar cravings and manage blood glucose levels already within the normal range.* Gymnemic acids found in gymnema may be the primary active ingredients.

Summary Dieting can often be a challenge, but finding the right diet product that works for you doesn’t have to be. Choose the products that fit your lifestyle and you will be one step closer to reaching your diet and weight loss goals.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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